"We have to be honest, and there's a lot of blame to go around, but I have to mention George Bush, and I have to mention Ted Stevens, and I'm afraid I even have to mention John McCain," he said.

DeMint offered a long list of complaints about McCain's record in the Senate and on the campaign trail.

"McCain, who is proponent of campaign finance reform that weakened party organizations and basically put George Soros in the driver's seat," DeMint said. "His proposal for amnesty for illegals. His support of global warming, cap-and-trade programs that will put another burden on our economy. And of course, his embrace of the bailout right before the election was probably the nail in our coffin this last election. And he has been an opponent of drilling in ANWR, at a time when energy is so important. It really didn't fit the label, but he was our package."

Do they not understand that the Hispanic Community is the fastest, largest growing community in the United States? Did they not get the message that this community, though agree with the religious based values of the GOP, abandoned the GOP because of the hate mongering rhetoric, the same coming from Senator DeMint?

The question now is whether Republicans will quickly learn from their mistakes -- retooling and rebranding their party soon, putting themselves in a position to capitalize on the missteps of the Obama administration and the rest of the Democratic Party -- or will languish, reduced to waiting for the Democrats to collapse and for GOP candidates to win simply because they aren't Democrats.

Those who write off the 2008 election by saying that Republican candidates weren't conservative enough are in denial. They are political ostriches, refusing to acknowledge that the country and the electorate are changing and that old recipes don't work any more.

Friday, November 14, 2008

I am not convinced. Hillary Clinton is qualified but there are others more astute, qualified in foreign policy than Hillary Clinton, and these are persons on both sides of the aisle.

I have read and understand Doris Kearns Goodwin excellent read, "Team of Rivals", but there are other moving parts here.

We know Hillary was in Chicago, yesterday, but we don't know what was offered or said. I state this because Bill Richardson met with Obama and his team today for the Secretary of State post.

Yes, she could have been offered this role, but it would have to come with strict conditions.

The main condition, Bill Clinton is off limits, period. What about the vetting of the former President? His associations and where the money has come from for his presidential library? This must be done.

The Clinton name is strong worldwide, but the only name that is the strongest is that of Barack Obama, period.

It is Barack that many leaders want to talk with, sit with, photograph with, negotiate with.

There are going to be many decisions that the netroots will not like from Obama, me included, but it is his decision to make.

Lastly, Hillary Clinton expected to be President-Elect and she is not. It is hard going back to the senate being a bench warmer, although you have a worldwide name recognition. She wants to be a player and she wants in, I don't blame her.

But, the main thing that sticks out to me is the leak of this. Obama Campaign is notorious for discipline. We don't know where this leak came from. One thing we do know is that the Clintons are notorious for leaking to the press to get ahead of a story. We saw this in the VP snafu, when it was leaked that it is only her who could help Obama with Reagan Democrats and Women, that turned out to be not true. So, while this story is leaked, not one word or peep from the Obama Campaign. Remember, loose lips, sink ships. This is a test of a disciplined politician and one who can be trusted. That is a problem with Clinton.

The focus is the silence from the Obama Campaign while the media swirls around Clinton.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Vice-President Cheney and Lynn Cheney, with Vice-President Elect Joe Biden and Jill Biden at the VP Residence, US Naval Observatory

••

Obama Resigns

"It has been one of the highest honors and privileges of my life to have served the people of Illinois in the United States Senate. In a state that represents the crossroads of a nation, I have met so many men and women who’ve taken different journeys, but hold common hopes for their children’s future. It is these Illinois families and their stories that will stay with me as I leave the United States Senate and begin the hard task of fulfilling the simple hopes and common dreams of all Americans as our nation’s next President," said President-elect Barack Obama.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty -- passed over by Sen. John McCain for the No. 2 spot on the presidential ticket and one of nine GOP governors who preside over states won by Barack Obama -- offered a summary of his party's predicament at the governors' opening lunch.

"We cannot be a majority governing party when we essentially cannot compete in the Northeast, we are losing our ability to compete in Great Lakes states, we cannot compete on the West Coast, we are increasingly in danger of competing in the mid-Atlantic states, and the Democrats are now winning some of the Western states," Pawlenty said. "That is not a formula for being a majority governing party in this nation."

As if that weren't enough, he ticked off a few more challenges.

"Similarly we cannot compete, and prevail, as a majority governing party if we have a significant deficit, as we do, with women, where we have a large deficit with Hispanics, where we have a large deficit with African American voters, where we have a large deficit with people of modest incomes and modest financial circumstances. Those are not factors that make up a formula for success going forward."

All the above is true.

The hard rhetoric against persons of color and women has greatly minimized the Republican Party, we saw the effect last Tuesday on Election Day. The country is changing, and the change is in persons of color and women. The Republican Party does not represent them, is not trying to persuade them, but continue on the track of snide, mean-sprited attacks and it all was a backlash on Election Day.

Then we have two Republicans on Chris Matthews show, Hardball, one white and one black and the difference is stark.

Pat Buchanan is living in the 50s/60s and it was apparent in his approach. He is one of the reasons why the Republican Party is what it is now, "the good old white boy, southern regional party." It is, what it is.

Two Obama advisers have told NBC News that Hillary Clinton is under consideration to be secretary of state. Would she be interested? Those who know Clinton say possibly. But her office says that any decisions about the transition are up to the president-elect and his team.

Clinton was seen taking a flight to Chicago today, but an adviser says it was on personal business. It is unknown whether she had any meeting or conversation with Obama while there.

Other Democrats known to want the State Department post are Sen. John Kerry and Gov. Bill Richardson. A possible compromise choice would be former Sen. Tom Daschle.

Remember, the Doris Kearns Goodwin book, "Team of Rivals". This would be a very bold choice and I see her in this position. Or is this leak a smoke screen for something else?

So, what is next for Richardson and Kerry, who are jocking for this job?

"It has been one of the highest honors and privileges of my life to have served the people of Illinois in the United States Senate. In a state that represents the crossroads of a nation, I have met so many men and women who’ve taken different journeys, but hold common hopes for their children’s future. It is these Illinois families and their stories that will stay with me as I leave the United States Senate and begin the hard task of fulfilling the simple hopes and common dreams of all Americans as our nation’s next President," said President-elect Barack Obama.

They will listen to Joe Lieberman, his plea, to keep his coveted chairmanships. The Senate Democrats will then vote secret ballot on what to be done with him.

Joe Lieberman represents the worst of individuals. I have no problem with having difference of opinion, but the way he went about it was to purposely destroy Democrats in the party and particularly Barack Obama.

Obama is a good soul. He is about forgiveness, I get that, but the public voted for change, not the same.

Lieberman is not about change, he is for keeping his personal "status quo" the same, that is not good enough.

No one is asking to boot Lieberman out of the Democratic Caucus, he can stay, but I must admit that he has not helped his own cause, let alone the Democratic cause.

I also, understand the "no drama, Obama", but some things action must be taken.

There were too many people, including myself, that voted for change. This means across the board. It also means that these Democratic Senators would not be in the position that they are in without us.

We are the change we were waiting for. I hope the Democratic Senate is listening, because when folks get fed up, they will vote you out.

We saw Obama with Illinois State Director of Veterans Affairs, Tammy Duckworth, yesterday. Her name is swirling around on the short list.

We have Jesse Jackson, Jr. who is on every television show ALLOWED, touting and pushing his interest in this senate seat, and privately stating it should be given to an African-American. Sigh. He even commissioned Zogby to poll citizens of Illinois and though he came out ahead, the poll is dubious. The poll only cites 21% in favor of Jackson, Jr., which means many are not paying attention, yet.

538 has rumor of Illinois State Senate Leader, Emil Jones, being assigned this seat for the last two years of the Obama term. The issue is his age. Mr. Jones is resigning in January, he is 73 years old, and if anyone know Illinois politics he is of the "old school pols" on the track of Daley. Would he be a good choice? Legislatively, yes, politically, I don't know. He would kill two stones. He is African-American, and those that want this seat will have to battle it out in the 2010 primairies.

Others being mentioned are Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-9), a good choice but her husband was indicted and convicted on federal charges of operating three check kiting schemes that defrauded banks of at least $2.3 million. He served 5 months in federal prison. Don't think this issue won't be brought up on the trail? It will.

Another name being touted is Dan Seals. He lost his second congressional battle against Mark Kirk (R-IL-10). He too, would fill the void of being African-American, mirrors Obama quite a bit, and is much younger. But, he is a dark horse candidate.

Governor Blagojevich (D-IL) will have the final call on who will replace Obama, but let us not think or believe that Obama will not have any input, he will.

I lived in Minnesota for 6 years, it is a state of independence. Remember, they voted Jesse Ventura for Governor.

Al Franken is poised to probably win this seat. Probably.

When Minnesotans woke up last Wednesday, Republican Senator Norm Coleman led Mr. Franken by 725 votes. By that evening, he was ahead by only 477. As of yesterday, Mr. Coleman's margin stood at 206. This lopsided bleeding of Republican votes is passing strange considering that the official recount hasn't even begun.

Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) has twice announced that he was the winner. Even asking Al Franken to concede and not allow a recount, but that request is out of Coleman's hands. Minnesota's law is mandatory recount if under 1% and this race is under 1%.

Coleman's real fear is the undervote that will be examined by the recount/canvass board starting next week. All ballots will go through a hand recount next week. Many of these undervote ballots are in Hennepin (Minneapolis), Ramsey (St. Paul) and St. Louis (Brooklyn Center) counties, all strong holds of Democratic voters.

But Coleman has other problems. A group in Minnesota is requesting an FBI investigation into allegations that Sen. Norm Coleman's family received $75,000 in potentially illegal payments from a friend and benefactor. This was cited in a debate in Minnesota in which Coleman targeted Franken for attacking his wife, but Franken stated that he was not attacking his wife, but Coleman's "political sugar daddy." Yes, only in Minnesota.

Both Coleman and Franken are getting lawyered up, expect this to go to court after the hand recount. Florida anyone?

As for Alaska.

We all know Senator Ted Stevens was convicted, and is now a felon. He could not even vote for himself. We also know, if he wins this seat the senate is talking about expulsion. And he should be kicked out. We can't have a senator walking around capitol hill who is convicted, what kind of message is that sending? He has already been called upon to resign by colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

Well, the Democratic Candidate, Mark Begich was 3500 votes behind. Alaska has NOW started to count the upwards of 100,000 early vote and absentee ballots, now Begich is 971 behind, Anchorage Daily now reporting Begich is up by 3 votes. Begich was in the lead in polling up to the day of the election, by many organizations and many was wondering what the hell happened for Stevens being ahead. Well, since the votes are being counted, Begich just might win this seat.

I am sorry, Lieberman is an albatross of the utmost. He repeatedly attacked Barack Obama, sided with John McCain. Why the senate would hang on and protect this embarrassment is beyond me? Next week is the secret ballot meeting. Sure, Lieberman can continue to caucus with the Democratic Senate, but chairmanship after attacking and questioning Barack Obama's patronage? That is too much for anyone to take.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Barack with Illinois State Director of Veterans Affairs, Tammy Duckworth after placing a wreath at The Bronze Soldiers Memorial in honor of Veteran's Day (Duckworth is on the short list to replace Obama's Senate Seat in Illinois)

••

GOP in the Wilderness

The Republican Party is continuing to lick their wounds from the November 4th thrashing. As they are emerging on camera, the only thing they can acknowledge is that "the country is center right."

Really?

If the country was center right, why did the McCain Campaign and the Republicans continue to lose seats in the house and senate?

No answer.

Barack Obama won an electoral landslide, 365-173. He won by at least 7 points, as of now 52.6-46.1, the first Democrat since Jimmy Carter who won over 50 percent. That is a popular vote landslide.

Chris Matthews of Hardball had two strategists on his program yesterday, Todd Harris and Steve McMahon, to talk about Barack Obama making bold, important moves on the economy, Iraq, Education, etc. All the things that the public voted him into office to do. Why? Obama won a mandate, that is why.

During this segment Matthews assails Harris and his Republican talking point of this country is "center right". George W. Bush was elected twice under the closest margins, in other words less than 50% and no mandate election. The country was evenly divided under both of Bush's wins. Still, Bush rammed through his mandate, did not tip-toe through the tulips, and all his decisions for this country was wrong.

The Barack Obama Landslide was notice to the Republican Party and to the current government that the voters do not want your ideology, we don't want you in charge anymore, you were rejected. Period.

The map above is what the Republican Party is reduced to, a regional party. They have a lot of work to do with African-Americans, Hispanics, Gays, Asian-Americans, Independents, Moderates and Democrats. Their party is one of "great old white guys." That does not win elections, ask Congressman Chris Shays who was defeated in Connecticut, the last Republican standing in the Northeast.

Ask Senator Mel Martinez of Florida who chastised his party about not being inclusive on Meet the Press.

Governor Jeb Bush--former Governor Jeb Bush last week made a comment that if Republicans don't figure it out and do the math that we're going to be relegated to minority status. I've been preaching this for a long time to my colleagues within my party. I think that the very divisive rhetoric of the immigration debate set a very bad tone for our brand as Republicans. The fact of the matter is I think in Florida there was not a great ideological shift, but I think there was plenty of room for improvement in how that state was looked upon.

The fact of the matter is that Hispanics are going to be a more and more vibrant part of the electorate, and the Republican Party had better figure out how to talk to them. We had a very dramatic shift between what President Bush was able to do with Hispanic voters, where he won 44 percent of them, and what happened to Senator McCain. Senator McCain did not deserve what he got. He was one of those that valiantly fought, fought for immigration reform, but there were voices within our party, frankly, which if they continue with that kind of rhetoric, anti-Hispanic rhetoric, that so much of it was heard, we're going to be relegated to minority status.

So, while the Republicans are running around here talking about this country is "center-right", they need to wake up and sniff the reality in the air, they are just dead wrong.

At a briefing before well over 100 reporters, John Podesta, the co-chair of Barack Obama's White House transition, announced three priorities for the interim period and laid out just how comprehensive the effort would be.

The transition team will operate off a budget of $12 million ($5.2 million has been appropriated by Congress, the rest will be raised separately through individual donations of under $5,000), employ 450 people and operate out of offices in Washington D.C. and Chicago. Already, Podesta reiterated, the team has granted 100 interim security clearances.

As for the priorities - they resembled the same major interests Obama announced repeatedly on the campaign trail.

• The team, Podesta said, would be "laying the groundwork in stabilizing the economy and putting Americans back to work."• They "also will be engaged as is required and necessary in national security issues that remain constant throughout the transition."• And, of course, there is "the task of building a government."

I am done talking about Sarah Palin. She is doing her media tour to clean up her "Tina Fey" image, which will be hard to do, since she is totally in lack of knowledge pertaining to the issues and the public saw that. So, Sarah can continue her media tour and hopefully FOX or somebody will give her a TV show, because that is the image that she is reduced to. Hey, not bad, ask billionaire-ess Oprah. But as far as politics, if the Republicans want her for 2012, good luck.

It is ironically funny that Joe Lieberman was the Vice-Presidential candidate with Al Gore in 2000.

After his prominent statements about Barack Obama throughout this campaign, you would have to do a double take and question, "is this the same Lieberman on the Gore 2000 ticket?"

There were many over the top and out of bounds comments, statements that Lieberman made against Barack Obama. The first was his endorsement of John McCain. Next was going to the Republican Convention and spewing a bunch of "you know what". Here is a full countdown of Lieberman's actions against Barack Obama, here.

Now that the vote tally has ended up on the side of Barack Obama, now we hear about bi-partisan spirit from Joe Lieberman. This is my take.

Joe Lieberman is a selfish, "you know what". That is what I think. He lost in 2006 the Democratic nomination and ran independent. He won. Then he took his "independence" to new heights. He has tried at every measure to stick it to the Democrats, the ones he caucus with, and spread his "alleged" leverage against the Democrats. He was angered none of them campaigned for him as an "Independent" and he never forgot it.

His biggest mistake was backing McCain, but let us play politics here. He was hoping, expecting to be the Vice-Presidential candidate on McCain's ticket. It would have been a stretch, and it would have made many look at that McCain ticket as true bi-partisanship, but we know how the Republicans roll. No way would the conservative, Christian base allow Lieberman on that ticket. One he is a Democrat and second he is Jewish. Yes, I wrote it, because that is how it was.

Lieberman has just made a donation - a big FAT donation - to the DSCC to the tune of $100,000. This contribution comes on top of last year’s donation of the same amount. Apparently Joe thinks that’s what the going rate is to buy friends. Behold the grown-up political version of “If I give you my lunch money can I sit with you?”

It is called, "I am covering my bases, in case McCain loses."

Well, McCain lost and Lieberman is in a fight for his political life.

I was put off that Obama said that, "Lieberman should caucus with the Democrats." Well, this was not clear and Lieberman took it as if Obama was in the spirit of bi-partisanship and that he could keep his coveted "Homeland Security Chairmanship."

President-Elect Barack Obama doesn't "hold any grudges" against Senator Joe Lieberman for opposing his presidential candidacy, and will not take any position on the question of whether Lieberman should be permitted to keep his plum chairmanship of the Homeland Security committee, an Obama spokesperson just confirmed to us.

"We aren't going to referee decisions about who should or should not be a committee chair," Obama transition spokesperson Stephanie Cutter emailed me, in response to questions about Obama's stance on Lieberman's future.

Cutter's comments are the first on-the-record indication of Obama's position on the politically fraught question of what to do about Lieberman.

"President-elect Obama looks forward to working with anyone to move the country forward," Cutter continued. "We'd be happy to have Sen. Lieberman caucus with the Democrats. We don't hold any grudges."

In other words, President-Elect Obama has nothing to do with the functions of the Senate, which is the responsibility of Leader Reid. What happens to Lieberman, at this point is up to the Democratic Senate Members. Of course, we all would like Lieberman to caucus with the Democrats to push and pass legislation, but Obama has nothing to do with who is appointed or kicked off of chairmanship positions.

President Bush and the First Lady moved swiftly and seem to be serious about a smooth transition, but more importantly understand this historic moment.

Barack Obama's ascension to the presidency will be remembered for generations to come, while George W. Bush will be forgotten and chastised as one of the worst presidency's ever.

Meanwhile, do not expect Sasha and Malia to attend public school, not after the dreadful McCain Campaign and the high negative rhetoric that ended with that campaign. Secret Service informed the Obamas about the intense rhetoric before the campaign ended and Michelle Obama was upset by it. So, I would not expect the Obama Girls in any public school, would you put your kids in one after the crap the McCain Campaign allowed to pass by?

Barack and Michelle have a lot of work to do. Michelle will focus on decorating the girls’ room and ordering new furniture. Yes, a catalog is given to the First Lady To Be, used to order furnishings for the White House private residence or they have the option to bring their own. Michelle will work diligently to make the private residence a real home, while freaking out on the First Lady duties. Yes.She.Will.

Already, Michelle has a Chief Usher hired by the ultra efficient Secret Service. She will receive a Giant book that allows her and the girls to choose suites of antique to more modern furniture for Sasha & Malia's rooms as well as the private spaces in the residences. The antiques in the state rooms are priceless. After her tour a sense of history and about 100,000 more square feet of space than she is accustomed to plus the enormity of the details and a lack of time will have her focused on this move. Will the girls bedrooms be on the same floor as her and Barack's or will they be upstairs near the Solarium where they can let loose? Michelle's Mom's choice of where to live in DC will weigh heavily in that decision. The dog will get loose at some point too - See Barney and his latest snippy interaction with the nosy petting press. A new tradition comes to the White House, but first they have to see how to run the place before its all official next year.

As hundreds of spectators hoped to get a glimpse of the President-Elect and his First Lady To Be, outside of the White House today, (believe me the folks are not there to cheer Bush on), everything that the Obama Family does will be written down as part of history.

As many know, I have been a far left partisan for Barack Obama. I have been in the trenches since late spring of 2007 here.

I have ticked off many, point noted, but it happens in the primary wars. You either have steel skin, or get out of the game.

But, now I am coming back here and starting a new, "This Week with President Barack Obama", but have to read a bunch of nonsense about Proposition 8 which passed in California, much to my chagrin.

••

First off, let's talk about how this was sold to the public in California.

I lived in California for 10 years before returning back to the Midwest. This is a state that is forward thinking on every metric. If there is any state in the union which motto fits, "so goes California, so goes the nation". Yes, it is California.

Proposition 8 was a failure on many levels. The most important failure was the lack of organization of those against the legislation to inform many Californians what was at stake.

Let me be clear here. It is not African-Americans fault that this legislation was passed and not defeated. Read this information of the break down here and get the statistical facts.

Selling Proposition 8 is the same as selling Barack Obama to this country. Folks must be informed about what this legislation entails and must understand that this is about the everyday man's civil rights in this country. This was not explained.

Many on here must also see that the Hispanic community did not embrace this amendment either, and it is not their fault.

African-Americans more than anyone in this country fully understand one's civil rights. If you allow the other side to define what this legislation is about, which was successful by the passing of this legislation, then something else happened.

We must commend the outside influences of the LDS (Mormons) for getting their message across, by powerful and divisive television ads and direct mail pieces. It was effective. They snatched the ball and ran with it, before opponents against this legislation had time to raise money and organize. That is what happened.

Now this is heading for the courts, as it should, but the larger picture should be this, "civil rights for gay Americans across this land." And this battle must be won on the Supreme Court ground.

Bashing African-Americans, Hispanics and the many Whites who voted for this legislation does not amount to anything. This is a teaching lesson to those who opposed this legislation. Take nothing for granted, you must make the public understand that this is a civil rights issue and must make many move past what homosexuality is, just as we had to fight everyday with Americans to look past Barack Obama's skin color and listen to what his agenda was. And many on this board KNOW this was not an easy task.

We have accomplished a lot of work together, now is not the time to point any fingers, especially when many of us did not donate money, time, or effort in making sure it was defeated.

If Barack Obama can become the first African-American President, this legislation can be defeated, at the ballot box or on the Supreme Court turf. We are the ones that must make a difference. Enough of the anger, time to get busy.

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